An authentic experience: discovering the traditions of the Uru Chipaya

The Uru Chipaya is one of the most ancient people of South America, originating from 1500-2000 B.C. In the 16th century, the Uru Chipaya represented a quarter of the Altiplano Andean population. Nowadays, their territory represents a mere 920 km2, and the Uru Chipaya population counts little more than 2 000 individuals.

The Uru Chipaya live in the Bolivian Altiplano bordering the salt desert of Coipasa, at an altitude of 3640 m. Their territory is organized in 4 ayllus (or communities): Unión Barras, Aranzaya, Manazaya and Wistrullani. The traditional habitat consists of a group of circular houses built with mud and straw. One house serves as kitchen, another one as room, and so on and so forth.

The Uru Chipaya have managed to go through epochs, amongst others the one of the Spanish Conquest, thanks to their will to preserve customs and language. The authorities represent the guardians of this age-old culture : the jilakatas (equivalent of mayor) and the Council of Ancestors gather regularly.